Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Yagi

Publications and source records attributed to K Yagi.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Anti-proliferative effect of 2-methoxyestradiol on cultured smooth muscle cells from rabbit aorta.

The proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells from rabbit aorta was inhibited markedly by 2-methoxyestradiol, considerably by 2-hydroxyestradiol, and only slightly by 17 beta-estradiol. The effects at doses from 1 to 40 nmol/ml were cytostatic rather than cytocidal. 2-Methoxyestradiol could be useful to suppress excessive proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells, and thus to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis.

2-Methoxyestradiol↗

Atherogenic change in the thoracic aorta of the senescence-accelerated mouse.

Biochemical and histological changes in the thoracic aorta of the senescence-accelerated prone mouse were examined in comparison with those of the senescence-accelerated resistant mouse. At 3 and 5 months of age, the lipid peroxide level in the thoracic aorta was higher in the former than in the latter. At 5 months of age, levels of both total cholesterol and triglycerides in the aorta were higher in the former than in the latter, and vice versa for the level of aortic phospholipids. At 5 months of age, the prone mice showed macrophage invasion beneath the endothelial cells of the thoracic aorta, whereas the resistant ones did not.

Aging↗

Combined continuous monitoring of systemic and cerebral oxygen metabolism after cardiac arrest.

Cerebral oxygenation was assessed in 8 patients in cardiac arrest during the 24 h after resuscitation, by continuous fiber-optic monitoring of jugular bulb venous oxygen saturation (SjO2), in conjunction with continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2). Three patients survived and 5 died. SjO2 and SvO2 patterns were compared between surviving and non-surviving patients with regard to their prognostic and therapeutic implications. The mean SjO2 of the survivors (67%) was significantly lower than that of the non-survivors (80%) (P < 0.001), whereas the corresponding SvO2 value was higher in the survivor group (74%) than in the non-survivor group (64%) (P < 0.001). Three of the non-survivors died of brain death within 5 days after resuscitation, and then the others died of respiratory or cardiovascular failure without recovering from deep coma. The high SjO2 of the non-survivors suggests that an inability of damaged neurons to use oxygen may be an indicator of poor neurological outcome in resuscitated patients after cardiac arrest. When SjO2 was < 45%, Sv-O2 was extremely low, reflecting cardiovascular failure after resuscitation. SjO2 may thus serve to warn of deterioration in cardiopulmonary function and serve as a predictor of outcome in cardiac arrest survivors.

Brain↗

Role of endothelin-1 in the failure of cerebral circulation after complete global cerebral ischemia.

The role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the failure of cerebral circulation after cardiac arrest is unknown. We evaluated the effect of complete global cerebral ischemia that was induced on the plasma ET-1 concentration in 5 dogs, by occluding the ascending aorta and caval veins for 15 min. A fiberoptic catheter was inserted into the sagittal sinus for the continuous monitoring of venous oxygen saturation. Blood samples were collected before and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after the ischemic insult. The ET-1 concentration in the sagittal sinus and abdominal aorta was assayed. Complete global cerebral ischemia resulted in a significant 3-fold increase in the sagittal sinus concentration of ET-1 (P < 0.01) that was associated with a significant decrease in the sagittal sinus venous oxygen saturation (P < 0.01); the arterial ET-1 concentration remained unchanged. The difference between arterial and venous ET-1 concentrations during the hypoperfusion phase subsequent to the ischemic insult may result from an increased secretion of ET-1 by the cerebrovasculature and a decrease in the clearance of ET-1 in the cerebral circulation. The result suggests that ET-1 may contribute to the failure of cerebral circulation after cardiac arrest.

Animals↗

Improved 20-hour canine lung preservation with a new solution--ET-Kyoto solution.

We developed a new solution, ET-Kyoto (ET-K) solution, and compared its efficacy in 20 h lung preservation with that of Euro-Collins (EC) solution in a canine left lung transplantation model. The lungs were flushed with ET-K solution (ET-K group, n = 5), with EC solution plus prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) pretreatment (EC + PGE1 group, n = 6) or with EC solution (EC group, n = 6), and were stored at 4 degrees C for 20 h. The function of left lung grafts was assessed 40, 70, and 130 min after transplantation. The arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in the ET-K group was significantly greater than in the EC + PGE1 group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) and in the EC group (p < 0.01). The peak inspiratory pressure and wet to dry weight ratio in the ET-K group were significantly lower than in the EC + PGE1 group and in the EC group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Pulmonary vascular resistance in the ET-K group 130 min after reperfusion was significantly lower than in the EC group (p < 0.05). All the transplanted lungs in the EC + PGE1 group and the EC group showed histological evidence of pulmonary edema, whereas all in the ET-K group showed no signs of edema. We concluded that ET-K solution is superior to EC solution with or without PGE1 pretreatment in 20 h canine lung preservation.

Animals↗

Expression of Fas antigen and Bcl-2 in human glomerulonephritis.

To understand the regulatory mechanism of apoptosis in human glomerulonephritis, we examined the expression of Fas antigen (CD95) and Bcl-2 in five normal human kidney specimens and 80 tissues from patients with several types of glomerular diseases. These proteins were detected in glomeruli by immunofluorescence. The number of intraglomerular cells positive for Fas antigen was high in Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis and lupus nephritis, and that of Bcl-2-positive intraglomerular cells was high in lupus nephritis, focal glomerular sclerosis, and IgA nephritis. Dual-labeling and staining on serial sections indicated that mesangial cells and occasionally infiltrating leukocytes expressed Fas antigen and Bcl-2. In situ hybridization detected Bcl-2 mRNA in glomerular cells. Electron microscopy revealed apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies in proliferated mesangial areas and within the glomerular capillaries. Fragmented DNA was detected in glomeruli by in situ nick end labeling, the data of which paralleled the number of Fas antigen-positive intraglomerular cells. In mesangial proliferative types of glomerulonephritis, the population of Bcl-2-positive intraglomerular cells, but not that of Fas antigen-positive cells, was significantly correlated with the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive glomerular cells, the grade of mesangial cell increase, and the magnitude of proteinuria. This study showed that Fas antigen and Bcl-2 are up-regulated in the glomeruli of several types of human renal diseases. Bcl-2 overexpression might play a role in the prolonged proliferation of mesangial cells and glomerular hypercellularity in glomerulonephritis.

Apoptosis↗

Wavelength specificity of photoparoxysmal responses in idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Using optic filters, we analyzed the wave-length specificity of photoparoxysmal responses (PPR) in photosensitive patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). We specified the wavelength spectrum approximately 700 nm (660-720 nm) as the only visible spectrum essential for eliciting PPR in some normal trichromat IGE patients and showed that any flashing lights containing this essential wavelength spectrum could elicit PPR independent of the number of stimulated cones. Absorption of the wavelength spectrum approximately 700 nm by optic filters eliminated PPR in normal trichromat IGE patients. In an IGE patient with deuteranomaly, intermittent flashing lights containing a part of the wavelength spectrum from 580 to 700 nm elicited PPR. These data suggest a new interpretation of wavelength specificity of PPR: Flashing lights containing the wavelength spectrum that does not produce antagonistic cone interactions at the level of retinal ganglion cells can elicit PPR in some photosensitive IGE patients.

Adolescent↗

Self-induced photogenic seizures in a child with severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy: optical investigations and treatments.

In a 2-year-old patient with severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy, we studied self-induced photogenic seizures using optical filters and blue-tinted contact lenses. The patient induced absences and/or myoclonic jerks by two kinds of behaviors: flickering hand movement (FHM) and forced eye closure (FEC). The placebo inhibitory effect on FHM by a blank goggle frame indicated that acquisition of learning affected the frequency of FHMs per se. Optical studies suggested that the degree of absorption from approximately 600-700 nm might determine the inhibitory effect of filters on FHM. Investigations using contact lenses showed that blue-tinted lenses gradually reduced photosensitivity and inhibited FHMs.

Child, Preschool↗

Nonphotosensitive video game-induced partial seizures.

We report a 9-year-old boy with a ring 20 chromosome anomaly whose complex partial seizures (CPS), presumably of frontal lobe origin, were often induced by playing video games. Neither photosensitivity nor pattern sensitivity was observed. An intensive video-EEG investigation showed that video games as well as mental calculation elicited rhythmic runs of bilateral high-voltage slow waves, which eventually evolved into ictal discharges. This case suggests that higher brain functions can be involved in seizure induction.

Brain↗

Can absence status epilepticus be of frontal lobe origin?

Five women with an unclassifiable nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) characterized by young age at onset, prolonged confusions, focal motor seizures, and both generalized spike-and-wave discharges and focal epileptic discharges on the EEG were studied with video-EEG monitoring. Electrographically, the NCSE originated from the left frontal lobe in 4 patients, and the left hemisphere with multifocal seizure discharges in 1 patient. Focal motor seizures seemed to originate from the left hemisphere in all 5 patients, particularly from its anterior part in 3 of them. Results show that the NCSE is complex partial status epilepticus of frontal lobe origin electroclinically mimicking absence status epilepticus once it reaches a full-blown phase.

Adult↗

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression and phenotypic modulation in the kidney of hypertensive rats.

We have previously reported that renal mRNA levels for transforming growth factor-beta 1, fibronectin, and collagens were increased in 32-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) with severe nephrosclerosis. To elucidate the mechanism of hypertension-induced nephrosclerosis, we examined gene expression and localization of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and cellular phenotype in the kidney of 25-week-old SHRSP with moderate renal damage. Renal mRNA was measured by Northern blot analysis. The localization of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and cellular phenotype was determined by immunohistochemistry. In the kidney of 25-week-old SHRSP, renal transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA was elevated compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), whereas renal collagen mRNAs of SHRSP were not increased. Immunoreactive transforming growth factor-beta 1 in SHRSP was mainly localized in glomerular cells. Furthermore, alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin were significantly expressed in SHRSP glomerular cells, in contrast to negligible expression of these proteins in WKY. alpha-Smooth muscle actin staining was also observed in interstitial cells, and vimentin, another phenotypic marker, was expressed in atrophic tubular cells of SHRSP, despite no staining of these proteins in WKY. Furthermore, all these phenotypic changes in SHRSP were associated with increased cell proliferation, as shown by the increased number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells. Treatment of SHRSP with cilazapril and nifedipine (from the age of 13 to 25 weeks) prevented the increase in transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression and the cellular phenotypic modulation and was accompanied by a reduction of urinary albumin excretion and inhibition of cell proliferation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actins↗

Modulation of subcellular particles of the rat small intestine and liver by ebselen.

Reactions between ebselen and subcellular particles of rat liver were investigated by monitoring the activity of mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase and microsomal glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Rat small intestine lactate dehydrogenase was purified and was also used in the reaction between cytosolic protein and ebselen. Glutamate dehydrogenase in intact rat liver mitochondria was completely resistant to ebselen, but the enzyme was significantly inactivated in broken mitochondria mediated by Triton X-100, reflecting the fact that ebselen was not transported through the mitochondrial membrane into the matrix. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat liver microsomes was inactivated by ebselen, accompanied by a slight decrease in the thiol groups of microsomal membrane protein. Purified cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase was inactivated concentration- and time-dependent by ebselen. The activity of rat small intestine lactate dehydrogenase abolished by ebselen was significantly restored by incubation with purified rat small intestine thioltransferase in the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH). The level of thiol groups in rat liver microsome membrane protein decreased by ebselen was partially restored by an incubation with purified rat liver thioltransferase in the presence of GSH. The results suggested that thioltransferase can cleave the Se-S conjugates between ebselen and cytosolic proteins or microsomal membrane proteins in the presence of GSH.

Animals↗

Structure-activity relationship of pamamycins: effects of alkyl substituents.

Nine new pamamycin homologues were isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces alboniger IFO 12738 using a combination of ODS and NH2 HPLCs, and their structures determined by GC-MS. The structural differences in these homologues are in the numbers and positions of methyl and ethyl groups. The aerial mycelium-inducing and growth-inhibitory activities in S. alboniger of these homologues and their antibiotic activity against Bacillus subtilis were examined. The effects of the alkyl substituents on these activities are discussed.

Antifungal Agents↗

[Augmentation of immune defense mechanisms of the lung by romurtide].

Muramyl dipeptide (MDP), derived from the major constituent of bacterial cell walls, can augment host defense mechanisms, and romurtide [MDP-Lys (L18)], a synthetic MDP derivative, is thought to be more potent than other MDP derivatives. Therefore, we evaluated whether romurtide can bolster the immune defense mechanisms of the lung. We compared the functions of peripheral blood leukocytes with those of broncho alveolar lavage fluid cells (BALF cell) in DA rats and in patients with lung cancer who were treated with radiation. The results indicate that romurtide can increase the antibacterial activity of BALF cells preferentially and that this adjuvant therapy can help to prevent respiratory infections.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the tulobuterol patch, HN-078, in childhood asthma.

BACKGROUND: Recently, a novel percutaneous adhesive tulobuterol preparation, HN-078, has been developed and tests using healthy adult subjects have indicated it to be effective for controlling exacerbations early in the morning if applied at bedtime. In children, percutaneous application is very important to eliminate side effects, including abdominal pain and appetite loss. OBJECTIVE: We report the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tulobuterol patch, HN-078, in the treatment of childhood asthma. METHODS: Single applications of HN-078 were applied transdermally in six children with asthma who had been admitted to a hospital. Subjects weighing less than 30 kg received 1 mg of tulobuterol while subjects weighing 30 kg or above received 2 mg on the chest for 24 hours. Serum tulobuterol levels and peak expiratory flow rate were determined before and after each application. RESULTS: Cmax of tulobuterol was determined to be 1.33 +/- 0.21 ng/mL, Tmax was 14.0 +/- 2.0 hours, and AUCO-t was 27.1 +/- 4.2 ng.hr/mL. These pharmacokinetic parameters per body surface area of children were nearly equivalent to those of adults obtained in other studies. Peak expiratory flow rate values obtained after application of HN-078 significantly increased in comparison to those obtained before application. No significant changes were observed in pulse rate or blood pressure, and no side effects were found with regard to the subjective symptoms and skin conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the patch formulation of tulobuterol, HN-078, will be very useful for the treatment of pediatric asthma. It is especially significant that no side effects were observed.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

[The practical benefits of magnetoencephalography in comparison with electroencephalography in a patient with epilepsia partialis continua].

A concurrent recording of electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electromyography (EMG) was carried out in a patient with epilepsia partialis continua. He had continuous clonic jerks in his right hand and fingers. The EMG electrodes were placed on the thumb of his right hand. We observed numerous MEG spikes in the left central region and about half of them were accompanied by EMG potentials with a latency of about 20 msec. The EEG spikes appeared less frequently, had low amplitudes, and had unclear morphologies and further, no clear association with EMG potentials. MEG spikes were more reliably associated with individual jerks, exemplified by EMG potentials, than the EEG spikes. The MEG spikes were sharper than EEG spikes and were about 20 msec wide. The intracranial dipole localization of the MEG spikes was estimated by overlaying the calculated generator sites on magnetic resonance images. It was found that the spikes converged along a line, presumably the central sulcus. The practical benefits of the MEG as a diagnostic tool in epilepsy are illustrated.

Adult↗

[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome associated with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone].

We reported a case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) associated with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). A 71-year-old woman, who had been diagnosed as hypertension and multiple cerebral infarction, was given sulpiride 150 mg daily for depressive state. Three days after started sulpiride, she developed fever, sweating, difficulty of movement and was admitted to the hospital. The white blood cell count rose to 16,300/mm3 and serum creatine kinase (CK) to 3,063 IU/L. Two days later CK rose to 20,050 IU/L regardless of stopping the drug, so she was transferred to our hospital for further investigation. On admission, it was the 6th day from the onset, she was mute and akinetic accompanied by muscle pain and rigidity in extremities. Serum CK was 1,831 IU/L, Na 122 mEq/L, osmolality 244 mOsm/kg, plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) level 6.5 pg/ml and urine Na was 101 mEq/L, osmolality 467 mOsm/kg. Renal and adrenal functions, plasma renin activity were normal. From the history, course and these data, diagnosis of NMS associated with SIADH was made. Intravenous sodium (130-200 mEq/day) and fluids (1,000-1,200 ml/day) were carefully infused. She became active, muscle pain disappeared and rigidity, akinesia decreased. CK, serum Na and osmolality gradually improved to normal. About the transient increase in ADH secretion, we considered that hypothalamic disturbance in NMS might induce leakage of stored ADH from neuroendocrine neurons in it.

Aged↗

[Thoracoscopic debridement for acute empyema].

Thoracoscopic debridement for acute empyema was successfully performed in three patients who were refractory to closed drainage, irrigation and antibiotic therapy. In two patients anaerobic organisms were isolated from the pus. None of the patients had bronchopleural fistula. All patients were relieved of fever promptly after surgery. Operative invasion was minimal, and postoperative lung function was well maintained one month after the operation. If empyema is in the fibrinopurulent phase and does not respond to pleural drainage, thoracoscopic debridement may be indicated before more aggressive therapy.

Acute Disease↗